Fastener



Feb. 27, 1940. G, A, TINNERMAN 2,192,160

FASTENER original Filed June 11, i937 gmc/WM EE0/QSE A 77NNE/:IMAN

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Patented Feb. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE y FAsTENEa George A. Tinnerman, Rocky River, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Tinnerman Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio 7 claims.

'I'his invention relates to trim panel assemblies and more particularly the type wherein an upholstered panel is mounted for use in the interior trim nish of the doors and other parts of autotening devices secured on the inner concealed face of the panels adjacent the edges thereof and adaptedto have a substantial snap fastening engagement in holes provided in the supporting structure.

In so mounting trim panels on al1-metal structures, such as the doors of present day automobiles, this has required that the metal flanges ofv the door frames be subjected `to a separate, ex-

pensive and timefconsuming punching or drilling operation to provide the necessary holes serving as the complemental socket elements receiving the snap fastening devices for mounting a panel. In this respect, it is found, most often, that the arrangement of the stud devices on the panels is such that they are not in exact alignment with the holes provided in the flanges of the door frame thus resultingl in a faulty assembly and/0r requiring the operator to take time to align such of the snap fastenings which are not properly located on the panel. To overcome any such misalignment, various means have been resorted to requiring further yexpense and ,time in manufacturing and assembling operations. Most common of such means is the provision of a floating mounting for the snap studs such that they may have sufficient lateral shifting or floating movement on the panels to insure ready engagement ,in the holes even though not in exact registry therewith. To provide such a oatlng mounting a cage device, or the like, must be provided. The

head of a stud fastening is. then assembled into cooperative engagement for limited free movement in the cage device which, in turn, is rigidly secured in a separate operation to the panel.

Such procedure obviously entails considerable time and expense and naturally is objectionable from the standpoint of cost of manufacture.

This invention therefore contemplates the provision of a new and improved trim panel assembly embodying a novel and improved method of mounting a trim panel on a supporting struc- (Cl. 2li-73) ture, simplifying the installation thereof and ma terally reducing costs in manufacture.

A further object aims to provide improved means for mounting a trim panel to a supporting structure utilizing the peripheral flanges thereof and thereby dispensing with the necessity for holes provided in the flanges of the supporting structure to receive the stud fastenings and the use of expensive auxiliary devices to furnish a floating mounting for the stud fastenings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trim panel assembly in which the trim panel is provided with improved means for removably attaching the same with ease and facility in a direct application to a supporting structure utilizing the flange edges thereof.

A more specific object is the provision in such a trim panel assembly utilizingthe flange edges of the supporting structure, of improved fastener means axially applied to have a substantial snap fastening engagement with the flange edges thereof, thereby dispensing with the necessity for buckling or otherwise distorting the panel to mount the same in position.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art as a description thereof proceeds with reference tothe accompanying drawing in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the same and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view from the inside of a door frame supporting structure showing a trim panel mounted thereon, parts of the trim panel being broken away to disclose the flanges of the door frame.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inner face of the trim panel, detached from the assembly of Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the snap fastenings thereon.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of one form of snap fastening device.

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of a trim panel section showing the method of securing a fastening device thereto.

Fig. 5 ls a section taken on line I-l, of Fig. 1, illustrating the fastening engagement of the fastening devices with the flange edges of the door frame.

Fig. 6 is an edge elevation of a Vmodified form of stud fastening.

Fig. '7 is a perspective of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is another perspective of the stud fastening represented-in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows the stud fastening illustrated in Figs. 6-8 inclusive as attached to a trim panel section.

In mass production, to conserve space large stocks of upholstered panels are stacked one upon the other ready for use, and naturally it becomes inexpedient to have the stud fastening devices applied to and forming a part of the trim panels because of the fact that the studsv of one panel will damage the upholstery fabric of the panel which bears against it. It has therefore been found most expedient to have the assembly of the stud fastenings with the panels as simple as possible and of such form that the stu-ds may be easily and quickly attached to the trim panels by the operator just prior to their application to the door frame or other supporting structure.

In the trim panel assembly of this invention, the fastening means proposed are relatively cheap and simple to manufacture, easily and quickly attached to a panel to be mounted and otherwise admirably suited for providing a panel installation which cannot become unsatisfactory or loose in its mounting after a period of use, or become unserviceable after repeated dismountings of the panel to obtain access to concealed parts in the supporting structure. In providing such an arrangement, this invention contemplates an upholstered panel the base of which is provided on its inner concealed face with relatively narrow, elongated slots disposed at intervals and in suitable spaced relation to the peripheral edges of the trim panel. These slots being relatively narrow and spaced inwardly of the edges of the panel do not weaken the same or affect its efficiency in an installation and, at the same time, are ad- "mirably suited for receiving an element of the fastening means to connect the same in operative position on the panel. A

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 2 shows generally the arrangement of the stud fastenings on lthe inner concealed face of a trim `panel preparatory to the application thereof to a door frame supporting'structure as exemplified in Fig. 1. The snap fastenings designated generally at I may be constructed of a blank or strip section of any suitable material such as spring steel, sheet metal, cold rolled metal, wire, or the like. And since the fastenings function as substantial clip devices in their engagement with the trim panel, head elements for the same are not necessary whereupon the devices may be constructed most economically from a small, rectangular strip section of metal sheet material Without loss or Waste of material whatsoever. The strip section is fashioned, as shown in Fig. 3, into what may be termed a double-ended clip device `toprovide a member which embodies a substantial V-shape shank comprising relatively yieldable legs II, I2, and a cooperating member in the form of a substantial U-shaped clip obtained by a return bend to present cooperating nger elements I6, II, the nger element I6 being integral with leg member II as at I9. The leg member'l2 of the shank is suitably deformed adjacent its extremity toprovide cooperating Work engaging shoulders I3 and I4 which together present a substantial retaining pocket I5 into which the flange edge of a supporting structure is seated under tension as hereinafter more fully set forth. The shoulder f I3 may be of any Asuitable design but preferably is in the form of a cam surface which's adapted to engage various thickness of supporting flanges and to compensate for possible inaccuracies and manufacturing variations in the supporting structure. The shoulder I4 may of the panel, the edges 23 of the upholstery cov-l ering being wrapped around the peripheral edges of the panel on the innerface thereof as illustrated in Fig. 2. In a completed trim panel, it is essential that the snap fastenings I0, be capable of quick, easy attachment to the panel just prior to the application thereof in an installation. In

order that this may be done, the base panel may be provided with openings of any suitable form but preferably relatively narrow, elongated slots 24, spaced as most expedient and extending substantially parallel to the adjacent edge of vthe trim panel. i

By the provision of such elongated slots 24 in the base panel 2|, fastenings such as, for example, shown in Fig. 3 may be attached to a' completed trim panel with ease and facility just prior to the application thereof in mounted relation on a supporting structure. This is readily accomplished by tilting or canting a fastening such that the projecting portion I8 of the finger element I1, Fig. 3, is entered into a slot 24 whereupon the fastening is moved in a direction away from the adjacent edge of the panel to be disposed in desired position with the finger element .I 'I cooperating with finger element I6 as substantial clip means to grippingly engage the base panel thickness to retain the snap fastening in operative position on the trim panel as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this manner, as many snap fastenings as are needed are attached to the panel and, as shown in Fig. 5, are so arranged that when the panel is applied to a supporting structure, the spring leg I2 and the shoulders I3, I4 carried thereby are disposed, beyond their leading ends, in the path of the inturned flange edges 4, 5 of the supporting structure.

Thus, in mounting a trim panel on the interior of a door frame supporting structure represented in Figs. 1 and 5, in which the door comprises a well known construction embodying a. front finish panel I, secured to channel-shaped frame supports 2, 3 including inturned flanges 4, 5, a completed upholstery trim panel provided with snap fastenings on the base thereof as above set forth, is applied to the frame support with the spring legs I2 of the fastenings disposed in the path of the edges of such inturned flanges. On pressure being applied to the panel in an axial direction with respect to the fastenings, the spring leg I2 of each fastening serves as a guide surface camming the adjacent ange edge .to become tensioned and cause a gradual, relative contraction of the leg members II, I2. Continued exertion of pressure axially of a fastening causes the spring leg I2 thereof to yield sufficient to permit the shoulder I3 to'pass the flange edge whereupon the ange itself snaps into the recess or pocketv I5 in tensioned engagement with the spring leg I2. Since the shoulder I`4 may be substantially flat, it is especially adapted to bear against the iiange in solid engagement therewith to provide a fixed rigid mounting for the panel member. The rigidity of the mounting provided by this form of snap fastening is enhanced by the fact that the section providing the shoulder vers I 4 is flat on its opposite face to have a substantial sliding bearing engagement with the head section I6 when in tensioned operative relation with the supporting flange, see Fig. 5.

In this relation it is to be noted that in each fastening the U-shaped clip member, comprising cooperating nger elements I6, Il, is provided by a return bend in the direction in which the fastening is applied in the slot 24 to be .retained in assembled relation on the base member of the trim panel. It will ktherefore be `appreciated that the tensioned engagement of the spring leg I2 continuously urges the base of the said U-shaped clip member toward the side-.wall of slot 24 and therefore not only effects a .rigid engagement of the shank of the fastening with the supporting structure, but also urges the iinger element II in a direction reverse :to withdrawal from said slot 24 and thus insures that the clip member will be positively retained at all times in rigid, cooperative engagement with the base panel 2| in the applied mounted position of the trim panel on a supporting structure.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated the trim panel assembly of this invention marks a decided advance in the art in that no'perforatlons or holes need be provided in the flanges .of the supporting structure to receive the fastening means, and the attendant cost involved in providing such holes in a separate punching or drilling operationis thereby eliminated. v

The prior art constructions almost uniformly employ holes in the flanges to receivethe fastening means; this naturally requires that the fastening means be shifted and adjusted 4to be aligned and placedin registry with their cooperating socket openings. In the instant invention this objectionable and time consuming -procedure is unnecessary since the snap fasteners are designed to engage the supporting structure at the inturned flange edges thereof. .And since such engagement is yieldable and is accomplished through the medium of an inherently resilient cam shoulder I3, Fig 5, the proposed trim panel structure is admirably suited for use withsup'- porting structures having different thicknesses of flanges and also is readily adapted to compensate for irregularities and manufacturing variations in mass production of supporting structures such as door frames.

To remove a trim panel from an installation such as above described to have access to the interior of the supporting structure for repairing the window operating ypartsI of an automobile door for example, it is merely necessary to wedge the panel along its peripheral edges, away from the supporting structure whereupon the cam shoulder I3'of each snap fastening causes a relative contraction of the leg members sufficient to allow the spring leg I2 thereof to clear the flange edge with which it cooperates. This in no way deforms, mutilates or otherwise injures the fastening means and accordingly a trim panel may be dismounted and again mounted in the same installation any desired number of times and without diminishing the efficiency of the mounting.

Figs. 6-9 inclusive show a modified form of the snap fastening means which is advantageous in that a substantial saving in material may be obtained in providing the clip member of the device. The shank member of this form of the fastening may be substantially similar to that of the preferred form illustrated in Fig. 3. As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the finger element Il' including the projecting portion I8' may be obtained by `striking a section from 'the cooperating flange `I6 and leg Iii. Thissectionis flattened to extend in fa :substantially parallel plane to the finger I6' being 'integral therewith as at 20'. As shown in Fig. '9, this form of the fastening device may be attached'to a :trim panel l.by substantially the same `method to .function .in the same manner as :the Apreferred :formof snap :fastening described above with .reference to y3, 4 and 5.

It will be readily vappreciated .that `the ltrim 'panel assembly herein disclosed may be .embodied in equivalent constructions employing fmodiiied forms .of snap fastenings constructedindifferent forms and .from different material, as, .for .example, a clip device, constructed of wire `and comprising a yieldable shank leg yengaging the .flange edge of a supporti-ng structure.

Several types of panel .supporting devices have heretofore .been `employed 'for engaging the .flanges or other part of a supporting structure,

and these types of sdevices are now well known. They .usually comprise devices lfunctioning as clasps, or expensive clinch strips which :must be attached to the vtrim panel means .and in' 1a separate, expensive operation. Then again, in mounting the trim panel to the supporting structure, the panel `must be buckled and distorted `to permit the last applied V,clips or clinch strips to be seated -in clamping engagement with `the adjacent flange. 'This :procedure vnaturally involves .considerable 'time and :added expense, and vcausesa :permanent bulge 'in Ithe panels such that theyzare unsightly and `loose lin their mounting on a support and thussubject to vibration causing squeaks, rattles andother objectionable noises incident kto the use of theautomobile. If by chance the :mounting of vthe trim panel is rigid, it cannot be removed without considerable diilculty by the car owner or .mechanic and without permanently distorting, deforming or .otherwise mutilating the .fastening .devices such that they are `noteilicient when again employed in the installation from which `the panel .is removed In contrast to such constructions, the instant invention provides a relatively .inexpensive installation in which a trim panel foran automobile door may be readily applied in a minimum of operations without 1in any way buckling, distorting or otherwise damaging the trim panel, and also provides a yieldable, most effective, rigid mounting 1n which 'the .trim `panel is not subject to loosening fronrvibration yet is capable :of being readily removed and again mounted in the same installation any number of times with little or no effort` While this invention has beendescribed .in detail with specific examples such examples are illustrative only, since other modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Hence .the invention is to be understood as limited only as indicated in the appended claims in which the by separate fastening intent is to set forth all the novelty over the prior l thereof, the other leg member having a. bent portion providing an attaching means including an :attaching element extending in agenerally opposite direction to the shoulders on said leg mem- 5 ber having a free end portion, said attaching element being adapted to be attached to one of said ,-panels in a manner whereby said shoulders on the leg member having a free end portion extend into the path of a. flange edge on the other panel,

one of said shoulderslbeing adapted for substantial. snap fastening engagement with said ange Aedge and the other being adapted to seat against the surface adjacent said flange edge.

2. As an article of manufacture, a fasteningopposite to that of said shoulders on the shorter leg member, said attaching element being adapted to be attached to one of said panels in a--manner whereby said shoulders on the shorter leg member extend into the path of a flange edge on the other panel, one of said shoulders on the shorter leg member being adapted for substanbend providing a pair of spaced, relatively yield- 5 able leg members of unequal length extending in the same general direction, the shorter leg member having a bent portion providing a pair of spaced shoulders extending outwardly thereof,

15I device for connecting a pair of panels or the like' .A in superposed relation, said fastening device comprising a section of sheet 'metal having a bend .providing a pair of spaced, relatively yieldable leg members of unequal length extending in the the longer leg member having a bent portion providing an attaching means including an attaching element extending in a direction generally in a direction generally opposite to that of said shoulders on the shorter leg member.

GEORGE A. TINNERMAN.

;same 'general direction, one of lsaid leg members the longer leg member having a POftiOn bent in- 2 .f having a fr ee end portion defining a pair- 0f Wardly thereof and then outwardly byy a. return 1 spaced l shoulders extending generally outwardly bend to provide an attaching means including an thereof, the other leg member havinga. bent porattaching element extending in a direction gen- Y .tion extending-inwardly thereof and then generalerally opposite to that of said shoulders'on the ly., outwardly to vprovide an lattaching element; shorter leg member, said attaching element being 25 ladapted to be attached to one gf Said panels in a.' radapted to be attached to one of said'panels in manner wherebysaid shouders on the 1eg mema manner whereby said shoulders on the shorter ber having. a free end portion extend into the les member extend into the path 0f 'a ange edge pathrof a flange edge on the other panel, one 0n the other panel, one of said shoulders on of said snouidersbeing adapted for substantial the shorter leg member beine vadapted for Sub-4 3 .snap fastening engagement with said ange edge Staniial Snap fastening engagement With Said and the other being adapted to seat against the finge edge and the other being adapted t0 Seat surface adjacent saidfiange edge, against the surface adjacent said flange edge.

` 3. As an article of manufacture, a fastening de- 6. As an article of manufacture, a fastening vice comprising a section of 'sheet metal having a device comprising a section of sheet metal having 35 bend providing a pair of spaced relatively yielda bend providing' a pair of spaced relatively yieldable leg members of unequal length extending in able leg members 0f unequal length extending in .the same general direction, one of said leg memthe Same general direction, the Shorter leg niembers 1having. a free end portion provided with a ber having a bent portion providing il Pair 0f bend fopyljnggl pair of Spacedrshoulders extendspaced shoulders extending outwardly thereof, 40 inggenerally outwardly thereof, the other leg the longer leg member lhaving a bent portion member having a bent portion providing an atproviding an attaching means including an atf tachjng means incudlng an attaching element extaching element extending in a. direction gen-- tending in a direction generally opposite to that erally opposite to that of said shoulders on the of the shoulders von said leg member having a shorter leg member. 45 free end portion. 7. As an article of manufacture, a fastening 4. As an article of manufacture, a fastening dedevice comprising a section of sheet metal having vice adapted for connecting a pair of panels or a bend providing a pair of spaced relatively yieldthe like 4in superposed relation, said fastening able leg members of unequal length .extending in s@ device comprising a section of sheet metal having the same general direction, the shorter leg mema bend providing a pair of spaced, relatively yield? ber having e bent vI 0rti0n DrOViding a pail 0f .able leg members of unequal length extending spaced shoulders extending. outwardly thereof, in the same general direction, the shorter leg the longer leg member having a portion bent inmember having a.v bent portion providing a pair wardly thereof and then outwardly by a return g5 of spaced shoulders extending outwardly thereof, bend to provide an attaching element extending 55 

